System and method for processing meat

ABSTRACT

A system and method is shown for processing animals, such as calves, from birth to slaughter by utilizing hot-fed rations during the feeding process. The system and method reduces or eliminates the need to use hormones and simultaneously reduces or eliminates the need to sterilize the meat products. Each calf or animal is weaned at a weaning station, fed at a feeding station, slaughtered at a slaughter station to provide a carcass that is substantially the same size as other carcasses for the same breed of animal processed in the system. The consistent carcass size enables manufacture of consistent carcasses which, in turn, facilitates providing substantially the same size meat cuts. This feature enables use of a standard-size packaging, such as a case-ready package, which may be shipped for display and purchase at a store.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10/230,930filed Aug. 29, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a feeding process and, moreparticularly, to a system and method for improving the feeding of cattleto provide improved meat quality, processing times, and use ofstandardized case-ready packaging.

[0004] B. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Traditional cattle feeding processing primarily utilized grassgrazing sometimes in combination with corn, grain, hay, supplement andvarious bi-products, such as brewers grain, oat hull, wheat mids or anycombination of such feed products. The cattle were born and left withtheir mothers to graze on grass until they reached approximately 500-700pounds. They were then transferred to a finish feed lot and fattened toa slaughter weight of between 1100-1500 pounds, depending upon thecattle type. At the feed lot or before leaving the grass, the cattlewere typically implanted with hormones to, for example, accelerate thegrowth process. The cattle were implanted three or four times prior toslaughter.

[0006] The muscle tissue of grass-fed animals is generally courser andundesirable to eat because the meat from the carcasses of such animalsis tougher and considered by some people to be “stringy.” In contrast,animals fed on grain at a feed lot were generally more desirable to eat,although the hormones and some grass-fed toughness in the meat remained.Thus, while the hormones accelerated the animal's growth, it negativelyaffected the animal's meat texture.

[0007] Another problem with this traditional cattle feeding process isthat it took approximately 18-24 months to get a calf from birth toslaughter.

[0008] Another problem with the cattle feeding processes of the past isthat the feed oftentimes had undesirable bacteria, such as salmonellaand other toxins. During the slaughter process, the organs of the animalsometimes became punctured, which resulted in the salmonella or toxinsgetting onto the meat that was ultimately butchered and consumed by aconsumer. In order to kill these germs and sanitize the meat, packersused a sterilizing spray liquid which was sprayed directly onto themeat. The spray liquid may be undesirable because it adversely affectedthe taste of the meat and also added to the cost of the overall process.

[0009] Still another problem with the systems and methods of the past isthat a typical animal was picked to go to slaughter from the degree offat in the animal and number of days that the animal was on a grainration. In the past, this typically ranged from 120-200 days, dependingon the rations fed to the animal, whether the animal was being grazed ongrass and the like. Consequently, the animals were often different sizesat the time they were slaughtered. Because the carcasses were ofdifferent sizes, it was difficult to provide any standard packaging inwhich the meat from the carcasses could be placed because the meat cutswere different sizes.

[0010] What is needed, therefore, is a system and method for reducingthe birth-to-slaughter time period, while improving the meat quality,the time required to raise the animals from birth to slaughter, and theuse of standardized packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One object of the invention is to provide a system and method forprocessing animals which may improve the quality of meat, thebirth-to-slaughter time period, provide consistent size meat cuts forenabling use of case-ready packaging and reduces or eliminates problemswith bacteria and use of hormones in the process.

[0012] In one aspect, this invention comprises a method for feedingcattle, comprising the steps of weaning a calf from its mother after apredetermined time and feeding the calf feed rations that have beencooked above a predetermined temperature.

[0013] In another aspect, this invention comprises a method for feedingcattle, comprising the steps of weaning a calf from its mother after apredetermined number of days, feeding the calf feed rations that havebeen cooked above 160 degrees Fahrenheit, slaughtering the calf when itreaches a predetermined weight, cutting meat from each of the calvessubstantially the same size for packaging in case-ready packages,packaging the cut meat in substantially identical case-ready packagesand repeating the method for a plurality of calves.

[0014] In still another aspect, this invention comprises a process forimproving meat quality and increasing meat-from-feed conversion forcattle comprising the steps of weaning each of the cattle from itsmother after a predetermined time, feeding each of the cattle cookedfeed after the predetermined time, and slaughtering each of the cattlewhen it achieves a predetermined weight.

[0015] In yet another aspect this invention comprises a system forimproving meat quality comprising a weaning station for weaning a calffrom its mother after a predetermined period, a cooking station forcooking feed above a predetermined temperature to provide cooked feed, afeeding station for feed the cooked feed to the calf, and a slaughterstation for slaughtering the calf when it reaches a slaughter weight.

[0016] Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the process in accordance withone embodiment of the invention; and

[0018]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a feeding system in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a system 10 (FIG. 2) is showncomprising a weaning station 12, feeding station 14, slaughter station16 and packaging station 18. The stations 12-18 can be, but do not haveto be, at the same geographic location. The system 10 and process of theinvention will be described relative to a single calf 11, but it shouldbe appreciated that the system and method is suitable for use with otheranimals, such as ruminant animals, including sheep, goats and cattle.The process of the invention begins at the weaning station 12 (FIG. 2)where a calf 11 is born. After a predetermined time, such as three daysin the embodiment being described, the calf 11 is taken from its motherand transferred to a weaning station 12.

[0020] At the weaning station 12, the calf 11 is fed a milk replacer,corn, grain and/or a supplement rations 38 from supply 40 until theyreach a predetermined weight, such as 300 pounds. The milk replacer,corn grain and/or supplement rations 38 are heated in an oven 43 toabove 160 degrees Fahrenheit before they are given to the calf 11, asillustrated in FIG. 1.

[0021] After achieving the predetermined weight at the weaning station12, the calf 11 is transferred to the feeding station 14, such as a feedlot, where it is fed until achieving a slaughter weight, which in theembodiment being described is between 1000 and 1300 pounds. It should beunderstood that at the feeding station 14, the calf 11 is fed a dailyration 38 of about 20-30 pounds of corn, grain and/or supplement from asupply 40. This provides approximately 3-4 pounds of animal weight. Aswas done at the weaning station 12, the ration 38 of corn, grain and/orsupplement is heated in an oven 43 to above a predetermined temperature,such as 150 or 160 degrees Fahrenheit before the ration 38 is fed to thecalf 11 from a trough 42 at the feeding station 14.

[0022] After the calf 11 achieves the predetermined slaughter weight,such as 1300 pounds in the embodiment described, the calf 11 isslaughtered in a traditional manner at a slaughtering station 16 (FIG.2). The slaughtered calf 11 provides a carcass 44, and it should beappreciated that the carcass resulting from each calf 11 processed issubstantially the same size and weight because they are substantiallythe same size at the time of slaughter. This facilitates the carcassesfrom the animals being the same size so that the meat cuts 46 aresubstantially the same when the carcass 44 is butchered.

[0023] The carcass 44 (FIG. 2) is butchered to provide the meat cuts 46that are packaged in standardized case-ready packages 48 and thenwrapped with cellophane 50. Thereafter, they may be shipped and/ordisplayed for sale to consumers.

[0024] The process is further illustrated are described in FIG. 1, wherethe process begins at block 20 where the calf 11 is born. After apredetermined number of days (block 22), such as the three daysmentioned earlier, the calf 11 is take from its mother and fed theheated rations 38 that are cooked in oven 43 (block 24). After the calf11 achieves the above-referenced predetermined weight, such as at least300 pounds (block 26), it is transferred to the feeding station 14.

[0025] After the calf 11 achieves the predetermined weight, it isshipped to the feeding station 14 (FIG. 2) for finish feeding (block28). At the feeding station 14, the feed ration 38 from the feed supply40 is cooked in the oven 43 to above the predetermined temperature,which as mentioned earlier herein is in excess of 160 degrees Fahrenheit(Block 24 in FIG. 1). The process or method continues to block 30 wherethe calf 11 is continued to be fed the heated rations 38 (FIG. 2). Itshould be appreciated that because the rations 38 are heated, the calves11 find the rations 38 more palatable and consequently tend to eat moreper day. This results in improved daily weight gains when compared tosystems and methods of the past.

[0026] Advantageously, the cooked feed ration 38 facilitates reducing oreliminating bacteria from entering the animal through the feed.Moreover, it has been found that the hot-fed feeding of the feed ration38 not only sterilizes the food, but also facilitates enabling the calf11 to improve or increase the digestion process to facilitate growth. Inthe embodiment being described, the feeding process of the presentinvention has been found to reduce the normal feeding period by inexcess of 30-45 days.

[0027] At decision block 32 (FIG. 1), it is determined whether theanimal has achieved a predetermined slaughter weight which, as mentionedearlier herein, is on the order of about 1000-1300 pounds. If it hasnot, the routine loops back to block 30 as shown where the animal iscontinued to be fed. If it has, however, then the routine proceeds toblock 34 where the calf 11 is slaughtered at the slaughter station 16(FIG. 2) to provide the carcass 44 as mentioned earlier herein.Thereafter, the carcass 44 is butchered to provide the meat cuts 46. Themeat cuts 46 are then placed in the case-ready package 48 (Block 36) asillustrated in FIG. 1. After the calf 11 is slaughtered and the meat iscut at block 34 in FIG. 1, the meat cuts 46 are situated in thecase-ready package 48. A cellophane covering 50 (FIG. 2) may be appliedto the package 48 to seal the meat cuts 46 therein. Thereafter, thesealed packages 48 may be shipped and/or displayed for purchase by aconsumer (Block 37).

[0028] Thus, it should be appreciated that an advantage of thisinvention is that it facilitates the use of standard case-ready packages48 because the system produces carcasses 44 and the meat cuts 46 thatare substantially the same size. This, in turn, means that thebutchering process can be mechanized to provide meat cuts 46 ofsubstantially the same size from carcass to carcass.

[0029] It should be appreciated that the system 10 (FIG. 2) and methodof the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 enables the producer toprovide a calf 11 from birth to slaughter weight in approximately 12-14months, at which time the calf 11 may be slaughtered to provide thecarcass 44 and, ultimately, the meat cuts 46 in 12-14 months. Byutilizing the case-ready packaging 48, the cuts 46 can quickly bepackaged, shipped and/or displayed at a store for examination andpurchase by a consumer. Thus, it should be appreciated that the system10 of the present invention enables a user of the system and process toraise a calf 11 to slaughter weight in approximately 12-14 months on aconsistent basis, as opposed to systems of the past which oftentimesrequired as long as 18-24 months from birth to slaughter.

[0030] An advantage of the invention is that is substantially improvesthe grain-to-meat conversion ratio. In the embodiment being described,the grain-to-meat conversion ratio resulting from use of the presentinvention is as high as thirty percent better than grain-to-meatconversion ration resulting from feed that is not processed inaccordance with the invention. It should be appreciated that theconversion ratio is achieved without using any hormones in theembodiment being described. Thus, the animal is not fed hormones at anytime during its life, which improves the quality of the meat cuts 46(FIG. 2). Thus, a discerning consumer who is looking for a premium,hormone-free meat cut 46 will be provided with a consistent size meatcut 46 and a meat that is the same quality not only from cut to cut butalso from animal to animal.

[0031] This system 10 and method also provides means for producingconsistent quality meat products and enable the animals to be dressedequally which, in turn, provides means to provide the cut meats 46, suchas steaks, roasts and shoulders in standard-size case-ready packages 48.In the embodiment described, the case-ready packages 48 can be plastic,paper, Styrofoam or other suitable material.

[0032] While the methods herein described, and the forms of apparatusfor carrying these methods into effect, constitute preferred embodimentsof this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to these precise methods and forms of apparatus, and thatchanges may be made in either without departing from the scope of theinvention disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for improving meat quality comprising: aweaning station for weaning a calf from its mother after a predeterminedperiod; a cooking station for cooking feed above a predeterminedtemperature to provide cooked feed; a feeding station for feeding saidcooked feed to said calf; and a slaughter station for slaughtering saidcalf when it reaches a slaughter weight.
 2. The system as recited inclaim 1 wherein said predetermined temperature is at least 160 degreesFahrenheit.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said feedcomprises corn or starch grains.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1wherein said slaughter weight is at least 1000 pounds.
 5. The system asrecited in claim 4 wherein said slaughter weight is between 1000-1300pounds.
 6. The system as recited in claim 5 wherein said system furthercomprises: a cutting station for cutting meat from each of said calvessubstantially the same size for packaging in case-ready packages.
 7. Thesystem as recited in claim 6 wherein said system further comprises: apackaging station for said cut meat in substantially identicalcase-ready packages.
 8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein saidpredetermined period is 3 days or less.
 9. The system as recited inclaim 8 wherein said calf is transferred from said weaning station tosaid transfer station when said calf reaches a weight of at least 300pounds.